This group of businesses includes 39.39 percent that have decided to take part and 28.77 percent that are considering doing so, the results showed.

Among the group, 26.64 percent intend to increase hiring, with each business planning to add 3.79 workers on average.

As to the positions likely to be offered by the businesses interested in the program, sales and trade personnel account for 31.83 percent,customer service personnel for 15.92 percent, production personnel for 12.8 percent, administrative personnel for 10.38 percent, and treasury and accounting personnel for 8.65 percent.

Nearly 60 percent of the respondents said the program would increase their likelihood of hiring fresh graduates, and 39.1 percent said they believe the program would speed up the replacement of old workers.

The survey was conducted by 1111 Job Bank Nov. 13-27 among 424 businesses.

The "get to work" program launched by the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) in October is aimed at helping at least 30,000 jobless people find employment and reducing the rising unemployment rate, which hit 4.37 percent in October. The program will run until the end of June next year.

Businesses participating in the program will get a government subsidy of NT$10,000 per month for each unemployed worker who had been out of work three or more consecutive months prior to being hired, for a maximum period of six months.

In addition, local authorities that offer temporary jobs to disadvantaged workers, in areas such as outdoor cleaning, tour guide services and community care services, will be eligible to a daily subvention of NT$800, or NT$17,600 per month.

Businesses approved by the CLA may also apply for a six-month subvention if they hire young first-time job seekers who have been unemployed for a long period of time.

Statistics released Nov. 12 by the CLA showed that 1,500 private businesses had applied to join the program.